US3371515A - Die loading apparatus for power presses - Google Patents

Description

March 5, 1968 E. A. MUNSCHAUER, JR 3,

DIE LOADING APPARATUS FOR POWER PRESSES Filed Feb. 7, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. EDWIN A. MUNSCH/IUER, JR.

ATTORNEYS March 5, 1968 E. A. MUNSCHAUER,JR. 3,371,515

DIE-LOADING APPARATUS FOR POWER PRESSES Filed Feb 7, 1966 f I s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. EDW/N 17. MU/VJCHHUEP, JR.

' ATTORNEYS March 5, 1968' E. A. MUNSCHAUER,JR. 3,

DIE LOADING APPARATUS FOR POWER PRESSES Filed Feb. 7, 1966 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. EDW/N 4. MUNSCH IUEQ. JR.

BY M4/3W UnitedStates Patent 3,371,515 DIE LOADING APPARATUS FOR POWER PRESSES Edwin A. Munschauer, Jr., Snyder, N.Y., assignor to Niagara Machine & Tool Works, Buffalo, N.Y. Filed Feb. 7, 1966, Ser. No. 525,560 10 Claims. (Cl. 72-446) This invention relates to apparatus for changing dies in conventional power presses, that is, for moving a die into working position on the bed of a press and for removing such die when another die is to be introduced.

Dies such as are used in power presses for performing metal stamping operations are frequently of such size and weight that bringing them to working position on the bed of a power press presents a substantial problem. Traveling cranes such as are used in power press rooms can bring the die to a point adjacent to the press but the superstructure of the press prevents depositing the die directly on the press bed by the crane.

Apparatus for moving die mechanisms from a point adjacent to a power press to the operating position on the press bed have been proposed, as in United States Patents No. 3,183,828 dated May 18, 1965, and No. 3,207,065 dated Sept. 21, 1965. These patents provide carriages upon which a die may be placed with the carriage adjacent to the press, whereupon the carriage is moved into the press over the bed thereof to bring the die into position beneath the ram or slide of the press.

In these prior art devices the supporting wheel upon which the carriages move are supported on eccentric axles or shafts and the eccentricity of the axles or shafts must be adjusted to lower a die onto the press bed or raise it therefrom. This eccentric adjustment of the wheel supporting shafts is costly to manufacture and complicated in operation, particularly since the carriages are preferably power driven and both of the aforesaid prior patents require eccentric adjustment of the power driven wheels of the carriages.

The apparatus of the present invention provides a carriage mechanism wherein the lowering and raising movements necessary to effect placement of a die on the press bed or removal therefrom are accomplished by a simple expedient involving no adjustment of the wheel axes with respect to the carriage supported thereby.

Further objects of the die loading apparatus of the present invention consist in providing die loading means which is readily adaptable to power presses of various types and sizes and means involving simple controls for successively moving a die set into a press then lowering to the press bed, or vice versa.

While several specific embodiments of the principles of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing and described in detail in the following specification, it is to be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and that various mechanical modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is limited only as defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

.FIG. 1 is a' perspective view of one form of conventional power press with a die loading apparatus constructed according to one form of the present invention associate-d therewith and shown in its inner position with respect to the press;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on a fore and aft vertical plane through the bed portion of the power press of FIG. 1 and through the associated die loading apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but with the parts in a final position in'the die loading cycle;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the die loading apparatus of the present invention modified to accommodate a die set and power press which employs a conventional pressure pad;

1 FIG. is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on 5 a vertical plane extending from side to side of the bed portionv of a power press showing apparatus for alternatively employing either of a pair of die sets.

Like characters of reference denote like parts throughout the several figures of the drawings and, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3, and referring particularly to FIG. 1, a conventional power press is shown having a bed 10, four corner columns 11, and a crown 12. The die loading apparatus of the present invention is designated generally in FIG. 1 by the numeral 14 and in the form illustrated comprises a bolster 15 upon which a die set is mounted and secured in the usual manner. In FIGS. 2 and 3 the die set is designated 16.

A generally vertical plate 17 is secured along its upper edge to the front edge of bolster 15 by means of a retaining bar 18. Plate 17 serves as a frame member for a front carriage support for bolster 15, which carriage includes a bottom plate 19 which is fixed to the lower portion of plate 17.

The front carriage support rides on a pair of tracks 20 by way of 'wheels 21 mounted on a shaft 22 which is journaled in bearing brackets 23 fixed to the underside of bottom plate 19. An electric motor 24 and a reducer unit 25 are mounted against plate 17 and the output shaft of reducer 25 drives wheel shaft 22 by way of a chain and sprocket or belt and pulley connection as at 26 in FIG. 2. As shown at 27 in FIG. 1, motor 24 may be connected to the general control panel of the power press. An enclosure for the foregoing wheel drive mechanism is shown at 28 in FIGS. 2 and 3.

A pair of wheels 30 are carried for free rotation by brackets 31 fixed to the rear face of bolster 15. The lower peripheries of rear wheels 30 project below the lower face of bolster 15. In the forward position of the foregoing 1 die loading apparatus the bolster 15 extends out to the right of bed 10 as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3, that is, forwardly of the power press, with the Wheels 30 resting on the front upper surface of bed 10. In this position the upper surface of bolster 15 is freely accessible from above so that a die set may be deposited thereon or removed therefrom by a traveling crane or other hoisting or lifting apparatus.

When a die set has thus been deposited on bed 10 the motor 24 is activated and the bolster 15 and the front carriage thereof moves to the left as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3, the wheels 30 rolling freely on bed 10. If desired guiding grooves or tracks may be provided on bed 10 for wheels 30. After wheels 30 thus traverse bed 10 from front to rear the wheels 30 move onto supports 32 which comprise plate members fixed to the upper end of rods 33 which connect with pistons (not shown) of fluid pressure cylinders 34.

Various means may be employed for selectively energizing the fluid pressure cylinders 34 to raise the support plates 32 to the full line position illustrated in FIG. 2 or lower them to the position illustrated in FIG. 3 By way of example, conduits 35 from cylinders 34 may lead to a hand pump 36 of a type known and employed in this art for operating hydraulic jacks which are employed in raising die sets on power press beds in order to permit fork lifts to engage beneath the die sets. Other sources of fluid pressure with appropriate control valves may be employed.

In their upper positions the support plates 32 form rearward continuations of the upper surface of bed 10 so that upon movement of the carriage toward the press to bring the bolster into working position on the press bed the wheels 30 move across the bed and onto the support plates 32 as shown in FIG. 2. It will be noted that the under surface of bolster 15 is at an angle to the top of bed when the parts are in position shown in FIG. 2. This angle is such that, when the bolster and carriage apparatus is pivoted on wheels 21 in a counterclockwise direction from the position illustrated in FIG. 2 the bottom of bolster comes down flat against the upper surface of bed 10. Ideally, the lower surface of bolster 15 is tangent to an arc struck from the axis of wheel shaft 22 and of a radius equal to the vertical distance from such axis to the surface of bed 10.

One or more locating pins 38 carried by bolster 15 are adapted to enter holes 39 in bed 10 when the bolster is in working position. The locating pins may be spring backed so as to yield upwardly until they come into registry with holes 39, such construction being well known in this art.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 is the same as the primary embodiment excepting that the bolster element is modified to cooperate with a power press equipped with an air cushion, such cushions being commonly employed when metal drawing dies are used in a power press. In FIG. 4 a press bed 40 is supported by columns or legs 41 and has a central opening for receiving a pressure pad 42 at the upper end of a cylinder 43 which fits over'a stationary piston 44, the pad being urged upwardly by the application of compressed air to the interior of cylinder 43 beneath pressure pad 42.

FIG. 4 shows, somewhat schematically, a conventional draw die apparatus comprising a die holder 45 secured to a bolster designated generally 46 and a punch holder 47 which is attached to the slide of the press for vertical reciprocation in a conventional manner. A male die 48 is fixed to die holder 45 and a complementary female die 49 is fixed to punch holder 47. In the present instance the die set is a combination blanking and draw die and a blanking die ring 51 is fixed to the die holder, the female die 49 comprising the complementary blanking punch.

A draw ring 52 surrounds the die 48 and when the air cushion is in operation draw ring 52 is held resiliently upwardly in a position approximately co-planar with the top of die 48 and with the blanking die ring 51. To accomplish this result while still providing for free horizontal movement of bolster 46 the following novel bolster construction is provided. For convenience in fabrication bolster 46 comprises a top plate 54 and a lower plate 55 which are screwed together. Lower plate 55 has a central opening which receives a pressure plate 56 which in its lowered position rests upon a ledge 57.

Pressure pins 58 are slidable in upper plate 54 of bolster 46 and rest upon pressure plate 56. When pressure is applied within cylinder 43 pressure pad 42 acts upwardly against plate 56 and pins 58 transmit this upward movement to draw ring 52 to raise the same to working position. However, with the pressure off as shown in FIG. 4 there are no upward or downward projections from bolster 46 so that the latter may be moved freely to and from working position in a manner identical to that previously described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3. The mechanism for actuating bolster 46 is identical with the corresponding elements of FIGS. 2 and 3 and accordingly the same reference numerals have been applied thereto and the detailed description of this mechanism will not be repeated.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5 two die loading and unloading structures of the type shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are provided so that two die sets fixed to and carried by two separate bolsters may be selectively and alternatively positioned on a press bed. This permits a quick change as between two die sets which are used successively and alternately and also permits a die set to be unfastened and removed from one of the bolsters and another die set to be secured thereon while the other bolster is in position on the press bed and a die s;t thereon is in use or in condition for use.

While the embodiment of FIG. 5 may be employed fore and aft, in the present instant the bolsters move onto the press bed from opposite sides thereof. In FIG. 5 the press bed is designated 60 and opposite side columns are designated 61 and 62. The guides which support opposite sides of the vertically reciprocable slide of the press are designated 63 and 64. The two alternatively employable bolsters are designated 65 and 66, the former being in working position on bed 60 and having a die set 67 mounted thereon while a die set 68 mounted on idler bolster 66 is in position to be removed or on standby.

As in the preceding embodiments, the bolsters 65 and 66 have floor support carriages designated 69 and 70 which move on tracks 71 and 72 by means of motorpropelled wheels 73 and 74. At their proximal ends the bolsters 65 and 66 are supported by idler wheels 73 and 74 carried by brackets 75 and 76. As shown in the case of bolster 65, as a bolster reaches working position the wheels 73 thereof move onto a support carried by hydraulic lift means 81 the same as in the first embodiment, the latter then being lowered to deposit bolster 65 solidly on bed 60 as shown in FIG. 5. Here again locating pins 83 at the underside of bolster 65 engage openings 84 in bed 60. Similar reference characters designate corresponding elements for raising and lowering the other bolster 66 when the latter is in working position on bed 60. In the illustrated instance the supports 80 operate through openings in bed 60.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for moving die sets to and from working position on a power press bed disposed above the adjacent floor, said apparatus comprising a bolster for detachable securement to such press bed and adapted to have a die set secured thereon, support means at an edge of said bolster extending downwardly toward said floor, wheel means at the lower end of said support means to mount the same for rolling movement toward and away from said press bed, and other wheel means at the opposite edge of said bolster and projecting below the lower surface thereof for rolling movement on said press bed as said bolster moves to and from its working position on said press bed, means at the edge of said press bed opposite to said support means having surface portions substantially coplanar with said press bed whereby said other wheel means roll thereonto as the bolster reaches its working position on the press bed, said wheel means supporting said bolster during rolling movement with the lower surface of the bolster inclined upwardly with respect to the press bed in a direction toward said other wheel means, and means for selectively lowering said other wheel means to lower said bolster directly onto said press bed by pivotal movement thereof about the axis of said first mentioned wheel means and raising said last mentioned means to dispose said surface portions coplanar with said press bed for free rolling movement of said other wheel means on said surface portions and said press bed.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the lower surface of said bolster is substantially tangent to an arc struck from the axis of said first mentioned wheel means and of a radius equal to the vertical distance from said axis to said press bed.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said selective raising and lowering means comprises hydraulic pressure means.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said selective raising and lowering means comprises hydraulic pressure means.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 including power means for selectively moving said bolster and said support means toward and away from working position with respect to said press bed.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3 including power means for selectively moving said bolster and said support means toward and away from working position with respect to said press bed.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 including electric motor means carried by said support means for rotating said first mentioned wheel means for moving said support means and said bolster toward and away from working position with respect to said press bed.

8. Apparatus according to claim 3 including electric motor means carried by said support means for rotating said first mentioned wheel means for moving said support means and said bolster toward and away from working positon with respect to said press bed.

9. A pair of die set moving apparatuses according to claim 1 disposed at opposite sides of a power press bed for alternative movement of either apparatus to working position with respect to said press bed with theother apparatus in withdrawn position.

10. A die supporting bolster for use with power presses equipped with air cushions and adapted to transmit upward air cushion forces to die mechanism mounted thereon, said bolster comprising a body member having a lower surface adapted to move upon a press bed to and from working position on said bed, a chamber in said body member and a vertically movable horizontal platen member in said chamber, an opening in the underside of said body member communicating with said chamber whereby activation of a power press die cushion causes the same to engage upwardly against said plate member and move the same resiliently upwardly, a plurality of pressure pins mounted for vertical sliding movement in said body member above said chamber and resting upon said plate member, whereby vertical movement of the latter moves said pressure pins upwardly to act against said die mechanism.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,625,896 1/1953 Immenroth 72-328 3,134,350 5/1964 Danly 72416 3,183,828 5/1965 Clements 100299 3,207,065 9/1965 Danly 100299 3,212,430 10/1965 Clements 10035 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner G. P. CROSBY, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. APPARATUS FOR MOVING DIE SETS TO AND FROM WORKING POSITION ON A POWER PRESS BED DISPOSED ABOVE THE ADJACENT FLOOR, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING A BOLSTER FOR DETACHABLE SECUREMENT TO SUCH PRESS BED AND ADAPTED TO HAVE A DIE SET SECURED THEREON, SUPPORT MEANS AT AN EDGE OF SAID BOLSTER EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY TOWARD SAID FLOOR, WHEEL MEANS AT THE LOWER END OF SAID SUPPORT MEANS TO MOUNT THE SAME FOR ROLLING MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID PRESS BED, AND OTHER WHEEL MEANS AT THE OPPOSITE EDGE OF SAID BOLSTER AND PROJECTING BELOW THE LOWER SURFACE THEREOF FOR ROLLING MOVEMENT ON SAID PRESS BED AS SAID BOLSTER MOVES TO AND FROM ITS WORKING POSITION ON SAID PRESS BED, MEANS AT THE EDGE OF SAID PRESS BED OPPOSITE TO SAID SUPPORT MEANS HAVING SURFACE PORTIONS SUBSTANTIALLY COPLANAR WITH SAID PRESS BED WHEREBY SAID OTHER WHEEL MEANS ROLL THEREONTO AS THE BOLSTER REACHES ITS WORKING POSITION ON THE PRESS BED, SAID WHEEL MEANS SUPPORTING SAID BOLSTER DURING ROLLING MOVEMENT WITH THE LOWER SURFACE OF THE BOLSTER INCLINED UPWARDLY WITH RESPECT TO THE PRESS BED IN A DIRECTION TOWARD SAID OTHER WHEEL MEANS, AND MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY LOWERING SAID OTHER WHEEL MEANS TO LOWER SAID BOLSTER DIRECTLY ONTO SAID PRESS BED BY PIVOTAL MOVEMENT THEREOF ABOUT THE AXIS OF SAID FIRST MENTIONED WHEEL MEANS AND RAISING SAID LAST MENTIONED MEANS TO DISPOSE SAID SURFACE PORTIONS COPLANAR WITH SAID PRESS BED FOR FREE ROLLING MOVEMENT OF SAID OTHER WHEEL MEANS ON SAID SURFACE PORTIONS AND SAID PRESS BED.

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